Erin Stone is the Executive Director of Philanthropy and Communications at Stanford Sierra Youth & Families. In this senior executive role, she serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board, responsible for advancing the Agency’s mission and long-term sustainability through an integrated strategy of philanthropy, communications, and reputation management. Erin leads the Philanthropy Department in driving diversified revenue growth, nurturing donor loyalty, and positioning the Agency as a thought leader in mental health and child welfare.

Erin joined Stanford Sierra Youth & Families with over 20 years of leadership experience, spearheading non-profit initiatives and infrastructure scaling. Her career is defined by a deep commitment to the mental health sector, having served in pivotal leadership and advisory roles across organizations dedicated to community mental health, suicide loss survivorship, and severe mental illness. Her expertise in high-acuity support includes coordinating critical mental health and financial resources for specialized populations and advocating for facilities designed for those with complex mental health needs.

Her background directly reflects the core competencies of her role, featuring extensive experience in professional fund development, crisis communication, and digital transformation. Erin has a successful history of securing significant resources through federal grants, major gifts, and multi-sector resource mobilization. She is adept at navigating complex regulatory environments and has collaborated with state agencies to advocate for programs that support vulnerable populations.

Erin holds a B.A. in Rhetoric and Organizational Communications from the University of California, Davis.

As a people-centered servant leader, Erin prioritizes mentoring and inspiring her team to foster a culture of accountability, empathy, and inclusion. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, who is an educator, and their three grown daughters. She is a passionate supporter of Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue, with a dedicated focus on fostering. She also enjoys traveling to the island of Maui, where she balances her time between vacation and volunteering within the local community.